Now Who Steps Into the Role of the Chiefs Running Back Now That Hunt Is Gone

Running back Damien Williams #26 of the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)

KC Chiefs: Extending Damien Williams shows running back value not vital

The KC Chiefs extended Damien Williams and he's now signed through the end of the 2020 season. This extension shows that running back just isn't the same position that it used to be.

The Kansas City Chiefs were in a tough spot when the TMZ video of Kareem Hunt shoving and kicking a woman was released last month. They released Hunt that evening and from then on, it was time for the backup running backs to step up and help lead the run game.

Spencer Ware was supposed to have that role, but he's managed 122 yards since Hunt's release. To be fair, Ware has only appeared in two games due to injury, forcing Damien Williams to step up in his place.

Williams has been solid during his time in the spotlight, going for over 100 yards last week in that loss to Seattle. His performance has obviously been good enough for the Chiefs to merit extending him for another two years.

The #Chiefs and RB Damien Williams have agree to terms on a 2-year extension, per agent @iangreengross. He gets a max value of $8.1M on the extension. He's eclipsed 100 yards in each of the last two games.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 28, 2018

This extension means a few things.

1. The Chiefs have confidence in Damien Williams moving forward.
2. The days of having an elite running back are getting further and further behind us.

Now yes, Hunt was a different kind of running back. He could run, catch, and was an all around talent at the position. What's done is done though and the Chiefs did what they felt was best in moving on from him.

With that said, the show goes on, and the Chiefs are fortunate that Damien Williams has stepped into the role admirably.

Does this extension mean that KC won't draft a running back? Maybe. Honestly, they don't need to spend a pick on one with how easy it is to find talent at the position now, but maybe they go for one on Day 3 or even grab an undrafted free agent.

Chris Carson of the Seahawks was a seventh round pick out of Oklahoma State and Phillip Lindsay of the Broncos was an undrafted running back from Colorado. The Chiefs could easily find the next one of these two players in 2019.

It's interesting how much the game of football has changed over the years, but the running back position becoming less and less important is a big one. When the KC Chiefs used to be so good in the 1990s, their run game was always a big part of that.

Now the NFL is strictly a passing league and the Chiefs have one of the best quarterbacks in the league at throwing the football. That makes their run game not as important anymore.

It's been great to see Damien Williams step into his own and become a good back for the Kansas City Chiefs. Let's hope this deal works out for the best!

Now Who Steps Into the Role of the Chiefs Running Back Now That Hunt Is Gone

Source: https://kckingdom.com/2018/12/29/kc-chiefs-extending-damien-williams-running-back-not-vital/

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